Children’s charity @Heart Inc renamed Heart Kids New Zealand

@Heart Inc, the only charity in New
Zealand that provides lifelong support for Kiwi kids with an
inborn or acquired heart defect has recently changed its
name to Heart Kids New Zealand Inc (Heart Kids NZ), marking
an exciting development for this long-standing
organisation.

Taking the helm of the renamed organisation
is newly appointed CEO Rob Lutter. Rob said, “We are all
very excited about the new name. Heart Kids NZ captures the
essence of who we are and what we stand for. Our members and
supporters are equally pleased about this development and
they feel positively about Heart Kids NZ. We are confident
that the new name will play a significant part in our effort
to raise awareness about the far-reaching impact of
childhood heart disease (CHD). ”

Rob has a strong
affiliation with Heart Kids, a cause close to his heart. His
17-year-old son was born with multiple heart defects and has
undergone 15 heart operations, four of which were open-heart
surgeries.

As a heart parent, Rob knows well the
challenges facing heart kids and their families. He is
passionate about helping others with similar needs and has
been involved with the charity for years, including in a
leadership role as a Board member for the past nine years.
He brings with him extensive leadership experience not only
in the commercial and non-for-profit sectors, but also
public services where he served as a Napier City Councillor
for nine years.

Commenting on Rob’s appointment, Donna
Jujnovich, Chairperson of Heart Kids NZ said, “It is
another major milestone in our journey as we continue to
build our people, our organisational capacity and our future
for the benefits of the 12 babies born with a heart defect
every week in New Zealand.”

Children with congenital
heart defects make up the largest group of chronically ill
children requiring ongoing medical intervention in New
Zealand. Previously healthy children can acquire a heart
condition as a result of a childhood illness such as
rheumatic fever. Although surgeries can improve the
heart’s function of those affected, the challenges they
face are lifelong as there is no cure for a congenital heart
defect and a damaged heart.

Rob said, “Heart kids and
their families need support from us in many ways. Every
day, Heart Kids NZ touches the lives of heart kids and their
families by providing them with the practical and emotional
support they need to cope with the challenges of a CHD.
However, Heart Kids NZ receives no government funding and
relies on voluntary donations for all the services it
provides to the growing community of heart kids and heart
families.”

# # # # #

Notes to
Editors

About Heart Kids New
Zealand

Heart Kids NZ is the only organisation in
New Zealand dedicated to providing lifelong support for all
those affected by childhood heart conditions.

Started in
1980 by two heart mums due to a need for parental
information and support, the network continued to grow and
formalised itself as Heart Children Incorporated in 1984 and
subsequently changed its name to Heart Children New Zealand
Incorporated.

With an increasing number of adults
surviving childhood heart conditions, the organisation has
responded by extending its support to heart children
throughout their lives, not just in their younger years. It
changed its name to @Heart Inc in 2010 and subsequently to
Heart Kids New Zealand Inc (Heart Kids NZ) in June 2014. The
organisation serves Kids@Heart, Teens@Heart, Adults@Heart
and Families@Heart.

Heart Kids NZ (www.heartnz.org.nz) now stretches across
the nation providing kids, teens, adults and families
affected by childhood heart conditions with free access to
its 50+ services. The charity is a non-government
organisation and is not affiliated with the Heart
Foundation. Charity Registration CC20102.

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